The Consortium of Xtralong Longbody Stretch Long Reach +1.0 XL +2.5cm Lovers

moon shot

moon shot

Hall of Fame
Since my earliest days of tennis I have been a lover of 28 inch frames. From the pure twaron butter of the Head Radical Tour XL MidPlus Zebra (RTXLMPZ) to the thundercrack of the Wilson Pro Staff 6.1si Stretch I've yet to meet a so called standard length players frame which I didn't like better with another inch.

Am I the only one? Surely there are more out there with this affliction!
 
@bleno567...sounds like your kind of people...

Can I be an honorary member? I'm in agreement of the statement "I've yet to meet a so called standard length players frame which I didn't like better with another inch", except in the 1/2" category.
 
McLovin said:
@bleno567...sounds like your kind of people...

Can I be an honorary member? I'm in agreement of the statement "I've yet to meet a so called standard length players frame which I didn't like better with another inch", except in the 1/2" category.
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Absolutely! I do like the i.Prestige MP XL when hitting with the kiddo. Anything less I don't really notice. If you said 1/4 or 1/8 I'd be amazed by your touchy feely senses.
 
moon shot said:
Absolutely! I do like the i.Prestige MP XL when hitting with the kiddo. Anything less I don't really notice. If you said 1/4 or 1/8 I'd be amazed by your touchy feely senses.
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Sweet! My XL history:

Yonex RD Power 10 Long 95
Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-50
Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 Stretch
Babolat Pure Control + 'Swirly'
Fischer M-Pro No 1 (professionally extended 1/2")
Fischer Pro No 1 Black Granite (personally extended 1/2")
Fischer REV Pro Classic +2.5cm (Pro Stock frames painted to look like X Force Pros)
Pacific X Tour 97 (personally extended 1/2")
Yonex 2018 VCORE 98 +
<near future>Yonex 2021 VCORE 98 + or 2021 VCORE 98 285g professionally extended if no '+' released in new version</near future>
 
I have a few Head mid/rev pro TGT 312.1s in 28” that I copped off the bay last year. Other than having too much weight in the handle (silicon), they are the most bizarrely effective frames I’ve used. Amazing power from the length, yet still maneuverable due to the beam, head, and extreme headlight balance.

tried the recent Prince phantom lb, not even close to as good for me, but still a great feeling stick.
 
Bobble said:
I have a few Head mid/rev pro TGT 312.1s in 28” that I copped off the bay last year. Other than having too much weight in the handle (silicon), they are the most bizarrely effective frames I’ve used. Amazing power from the length, yet still maneuverable due to the beam, head, and extreme headlight balance.

tried the recent Prince phantom lb, not even close to as good for me, but still a great feeling stick.
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that sounds super intriguing, extending a mid sounds like a crazy fun time. I’d be curious if one needs a new home.
 
RigsOfChad said:
I'm using the fairly new Prince 100G LB now - it's 28"
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I have a demo of that now but it is a high of 37 for the next week. Not sure why I didn’t have the foresight to check the weather.

Weighted up to 370g it feels nice in the kitchen.
 
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Is it worth it to go with a 27.25 inch ? Or does it make more sense to just go 27.5....? I love my TC95, but something tells me it would be epic if extended a small amount...
 
movdqa said:
I have three YT Prestige MP in 27.75 and four IG Prestige MP in 27.6. I'd love to get a pair of PT57As in 27.75. I'm playing with the YTs these days.
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I’ve read many threads you’ve contributed to in the past. Glad to see you here! I would guess the retail zebra xl may be pretty close if pro stock isn’t in the cards. It is a delight every time I play it.
 
moon shot said:
that sounds super intriguing, extending a mid sounds like a crazy fun time. I’d be curious if one needs a new home.
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I'll keep you in mind. Probably sending them off to R P N Y to change the pallets down from 3 to 2 (small hands here, even though I'm 5'11)...and was thinking of having them cut down to 27.5, before reading this thread. Something is starting to feel wrong about cutting the hairpins down since 28" is so hard to come by. I got them down to 342 grams (from 360 strung) by digging silicon out, they were giving me some inner elbow issues from the weight initially. As impractical of a frame as they feel for a 4.5 player, there isn't anything like them.

moon shot said:
I have a demo of that now but it is a high of 37 for the next week. Not sure why I didn’t have the foresight to check the weather.

Weighted up to 370g it feels nice in the kitchen.
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The Phantom LB is really low powered, but that seems to work decently well with how open the pattern is. I'd love to hear a full review when you get out with it. I played mine basically stock with lead at 12, with hyper g at 42 lbs and found it mushy and low powered...except serves were great. Something about 28" racquets gives my spin serves much more bend and shape...whereas even with 27.5 i don't notice that huge of a difference.
 
moon shot said:
that sounds super intriguing, extending a mid sounds like a crazy fun time. I’d be curious if one needs a new home.
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Extended mids are amazing serving frames. The most killer frame in this aspect I've tried was the i.Prestige Mid XL (27.75 inches). Flat serves were monsterous. Couldn't do squat with it in any other department but that serve.
 
Automatix said:
Extended mids are amazing serving frames. The most killer frame in this aspect I've tried was the i.Prestige Mid XL (27.75 inches). Flat serves were monsterous. Couldn't do squat with it in any other department but that serve.
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Did it come 27.75 stock retail?? I thought the iprestige xls only came in 27.5, but I don't know the line well.
 
Automatix said:
Extended mids are amazing serving frames. The most killer frame in this aspect I've tried was the i.Prestige Mid XL (27.75 inches). Flat serves were monsterous. Couldn't do squat with it in any other department but that serve.
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I have just the Youtek mid for this, commence project!
 
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movdqa said:
I have three YT Prestige MP in 27.75 and four IG Prestige MP in 27.6. I'd love to get a pair of PT57As in 27.75. I'm playing with the YTs these days.
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Very similar setup to me. I have 6 YT IG Prestige at 27.9 in a blackout paintjob. They play awesome.
 
bleno567 said:
Very similar setup to me. I have 6 YT IG Prestige at 27.9 in a blackout paintjob. They play awesome.
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I'd prefer the IGs in 27.75. I haven't tried anything longer so I don't know how they feel.

There are three PT57A hairpins for sale for $1,600 or maybe it's Euros. I'm not really up to the amount of work to get those all set up but it would be fun to try it. My ideal would be a matched set of PT57As at 27.75 or longer. PT57As are scarce though. I have not seen TGT293.2s in 27.60 like my own or TGK238.4s. I actually have enough of both sets for my needs.
 
movdqa said:
I'd prefer the IGs in 27.75. I haven't tried anything longer so I don't know how they feel.

There are three PT57A hairpins for sale for $1,600 or maybe it's Euros. I'm not really up to the amount of work to get those all set up but it would be fun to try it. My ideal would be a matched set of PT57As at 27.75 or longer. PT57As are scarce though. I have not seen TGT293.2s in 27.60 like my own or TGK238.4s. I actually have enough of both sets for my needs.
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Elongated PT57As are especially scarce. They always go for at least $500 on pro stock tennis IIRC. I'd love to try the 16x19 version of the PT57A extended to my preferred length, but I don't think the stars are ever going to align for that one.

I am intrigued by the new prestige mold being a true 98. I could see this being an improvement on the old 95" mold, but it'll probably be a while before second hand extended new mold prestiges hit the market at a price I can afford.
 
My current accumulation of XL:

28.5"
Prince Thunderbolt OS 115" 18x20

28”
MChang Graphite 107 x2 16x19
MChang Ti 107 x2 16x19
Precision 730 97" 14x18
Precision 690 95" 16x20
MChang Graphite 95" 14x18
MChang Ti 95 x4 95" 14x18
Microgel Rad MP 98" 18x20
TiS7 124" 16x19 (27.75")
Pro Staff 6.1 Stretch 95" 18x20
Wilson Pro Staff 5.7 EB 115" 18x20

27.5”
Hammer 7.0 OS 110 16x19
Pure Control 95+ x2 95" 18x20
Pure Storm LTD 95" GT+ 18x20
Spalding ATP 230 95” 18x20

27.3”
Nblade 106 18x19
 
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The Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Stretch is still the best serving racquet of all time for me! I've also hit with the Head Radical Tour XL Zebra and really loved the combination of power and feel. Unfortunately, with my one-hander, 28” is a bit hard to get around so I found myself slicing a bit more on that side when I couldn't get into position. I eventually landed on 27.5 as the right length, but I still regret selling my 6.1 Stretch just for serving! Favorite 27.5” racquets for me are Yonex RD Ti-70 Long, Dr98+, VCore 98+
and Dunlop CX200 Plus.

If I were to start a 28” collection it would include:

Wilson 6.1 Stretch
Head Radical Zebra XL
Prince Graphite Longbody
Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro Superlong
Yonex RD70 Pro
 
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Automatix said:
Had like +10 of Pro RD 70 Long 95. 16x17 pattern, 19-16mm beam. Great frames. Still have spare grommet sets for these.
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16x17 is bizarre. It must have been crazy open.

You truly have some strange racquets. I wonder what the Head team was thinking making a midsize frame 27.75. Such an odd decision.
 
briancheng said:
The Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Stretch is still the best serving racquet of all time for me! I've also hit with the Head Radical Tour XL Zebra and really loved the combination of power and feel. Unfortunately, with my one-hander, 28” is a bit hard to get around so I found myself slicing a bit more on that side when I couldn't get into position. I eventually landed on 27.5 as the right length, but I still regret selling my 6.1 Stretch just for serving! Favorite 27.5” racquets for me are Yonex RD Ti-70 Long, Dr98+, VCore 98+
and Dunlop CX200 Plus.

If I were to start a 28” collection it would include:

Wilson 6.1 Stretch
Head Radical Zebra XL
Prince Graphite Longbody
Dunlop Revelation Tour Superlong
Yonex RD70 Pro
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My favorite is the Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro Superlong +1.00.

At 28 inches of length, most racquets have too much SW. This Dunlop, however, is as easy to swing as most 27.5-inch racquets.
 
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scotus said:
At 28 inches of length, most racquets have too much SW. This Dunlop, however, is as easy to swing as most 27.5-inch racquets.
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Most older guys (me included) like a swingweight of about 350 and that seems to be where a lot of these longer racquets sit. But there is no doubt that a 350 swingweight 28" racquet swings and feels a lot different than a 27" 350 swingweight racquet. Probably those of us who like them longer just prefer that difference in the way they swing.
 
Wilson Pro Staff 5.9 Stretch is also an excellent racquet. It is somewhat of a widebody, but it is easy to swing and soooo comfortable.
 
Injured Again said:
scotus said:
My favorite is the Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro Superling +1.00.

At 28 inches of length, most racquets have too much SW. This Dunlop, however, is as easy to swing as most 27.5-inch racquets.
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Most older guys (me included) like a swingweight of about 350 and that seems to be where a lot of these longer racquets sit. But there is no doubt that a 350 swingweight 28" racquet swings and feels a lot different than a 27" 350 swingweight racquet. Probably those of us who like them longer just prefer that difference in the way they swing.
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I'm in the same boat as scotus. Wish this one was reintroduced.
 
i just got myself a pair of VCore 98+. Not the latest, but the previous model,

I cant wait to try them out. Im in Me[bourne Australia and have just gone into another lockdown. i was fortunate though and got 2 days in at the Oz Open,

Anyway i remember have my share of XLs too, i really liked the Volkl Xtended frames inc the V1 but it needed more weight. as did the DNX8 extended, I a;sphad the Knissel Toms Reach machines. these were 28's but had them cut down to 27.5.

I also have Volkl V1 oversize, these are 27.6 long, i have leather grips on these, and have added lead at 10-2 to maintain the balence. now waiting to try these with the lead and leather too, think they are going to be beasts. i will post pics if anyone is curious.
 
I contacted a pro stock seller and he has 2 PT57A hairpins for sale. I was looking more for finished frames as I don't have a resource for customization and I'd have to find one which can be a bit challenging in the pandemic. My assumption is that the hairpins are around $500 - $600 each. I really don't want to send them out via mail after I get them and would rather someone local do it but there's noone in my state that does this kind of work to my knowledge. I'd have to see if there's anyone in MA that does it. I do recall a guy that does customization work but who knows what businesses are still in operation through the pandemic?
 
I'm in this camp now. I've used a range of rackets, but the stability on the SW102 is addictive. I feel the rustiness if I only play once a week, but if I have the chance to get some practice in, it's a great frame.
 
kingcheetah said:
I'm in this camp now. I've used a range of rackets, but the stability on the SW102 is addictive. I feel the rustiness if I only play once a week, but if I have the chance to get some practice in, it's a great frame.
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I took a look and it looks great except for the flex of 69 which is too high for me. I recall an earlier SW model (maybe 104?) that was more flexible. This racquet would be perfect for me given the high swingweight but my arm can't handle something that stiff. It would take some time for me to get used to coming from a 95. Anything out there at 28 inches with flex under 62?
 
Looks like the Prince Phantom LB is the only real option. 100 sq in + 28 inches would probably feel a bit unwieldy.
 
movdqa said:
Looks like the Prince Phantom LB is the only real option. 100 sq in + 28 inches would probably feel a bit unwieldy.
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It’s worth a try, even though it mostly gets bad feedback here. The low flex makes it feel sluggish but I have yet to string mine with a crisper poly. I think it being lower powered but very spin friendly makes it unique.
 
Bobble said:
It’s worth a try, even though it mostly gets bad feedback here. The low flex makes it feel sluggish but I have yet to string mine with a crisper poly. I think it being lower powered but very spin friendly makes it unique.
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My sticks are usually 370-390 swingweight and that would solve the power problem.
 
movdqa said:
Looks like the Prince Phantom LB is the only real option. 100 sq in + 28 inches would probably feel a bit unwieldy.
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the radical tour xl mp zebra I’ve been swinging are around 370sw, certainly higher when I had them capped and leaded. I’m toying with the idea of the phantom LB customized by TW.

I was able to temporarily weight a demo to swing similarly to the zebra (tk57b) but unsure how different it’s output would be as it will be below freezing all week here in Texas.

I do sometimes dabble with a radical os xl zebra so the 100 may not feel as much an outlier to me.
 
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ISIS in the house!

RMHyokd.jpg
 
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